Georgia Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Slipping on Wet Marble Flooring Aboard MSC Seascape
Danuta Trip, a resident of Georgia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises S.A. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24457-DPG, alleges that Trip suffered serious injuries after slipping and falling on wet marble flooring near an elevator on Deck 8 of the MSC Seascape on October 15, 2024.
Passenger Slips on Wet Marble Floor Near Liberty Plaza While Accessing Yacht Club Area on MSC Seascape
According to the lawsuit, Trip was on her way to the Yacht Club section of the ship around 5 p.m. when she approached an elevator near the Liberty Plaza. As she reached out to scan her wristband for access, she slipped on what appeared to be a wet, clear substance on the marble floor and fell hard, striking her head, knee, and hip.
The plaintiff alleges that there were no caution signs, barriers, or verbal warnings alerting her to the slippery surface. The wet substance allegedly blended into the highly polished marble, making it difficult to see. Trip asserts the condition was not open or obvious and that the cruise line failed to maintain the area in a reasonably safe condition or warn passengers of the hazard.
MSC Cruises Accused of Failing to Warn of Slippery Floor Hazard and Maintain Safe Conditions in High-Traffic Passenger Area
Trip’s legal team argues that MSC had actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition due to its location in a high-traffic area regularly traversed by passengers. The lawsuit states that crewmembers were present in the area at the time and had a clear line of sight to the location of the fall. Despite this, MSC allegedly failed to clean up the substance, block access, or place warning signage.
The complaint also references industry safety standards—including the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and the cruise line’s own Safety Management System (SMS)—that require regular inspection, maintenance, and safe flooring materials. Trip contends that MSC failed to follow these protocols, allowing an unreasonably slippery and hazardous floor to remain in use by passengers.
Prior Slip and Fall Cases Cited as Evidence of Ongoing Safety Issues on MSC Cruises’ Vessels
To bolster the allegation of notice, the lawsuit lists over 25 prior slip and fall incidents involving wet flooring on MSC ships, including the MSC Divina, MSC Orchestra, and MSC Poesia. Some cases date back to 2009 and others as recent as 2025, showing a repeated pattern of similar injuries aboard various vessels across MSC’s fleet.
The complaint also references other federal lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving similar claims, such as Garcia v. MSC, Iacoli v. MSC, and Lombardo v. MSC, many of which involved wet, polished, or slippery flooring in public areas of the ships.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Head Injury, Fractured Patella, Medical Costs, and Lost Value of Cruise Due to MSC’s Alleged Negligence
Trip brings three counts of negligence against MSC Cruises: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. She claims the cruise line breached its duty of care by failing to ensure safe conditions, adequately inspect and clean high-traffic areas, or retrofit flooring surfaces with adequate non-slip materials. The plaintiff also alleges that MSC failed to implement and enforce proper policies to prevent these types of injuries.
As a result of the fall, Trip reportedly suffered a fractured right patella and a head injury, among other ailments. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, permanent impairment, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of her cruise vacation.
Injured by a Slip and Fall on a Cruise Ship? Contact a Maritime Personal Injury Attorney
Cruise lines have a legal duty to ensure public areas aboard their vessels are safe for passengers, especially where wet floors and polished surfaces can create serious fall hazards. If you or a loved one suffered a similar injury while aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation under U.S. maritime law.
Contact us today to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney. Our team of experienced maritime lawyers can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
